How to Balance Productivity and Safety With the Rise in Remote Work?

Posted on: Apr 4, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

How to Balance Productivity and Safety With the Rise in Remote Work?

Cybercriminals use remote work setups for cyberattacks by gaining unauthorised access to an organisation's sensitive data. Balancing cyber security for remote employees and productivity is a pressing issue for most organisations, as it can be challenging to achieve an equilibrium. IT professionals should devise strong cybersecurity measures as employees need access to their organisation's data when they work. It is essential to strike a balance between cyber safety and productivity as more and more organisations adapt to remote work models.

What type of security measure or data protection method do you choose from?

Organisations face a crucial decision when they want to adopt data loss protection or DLP tools. It helps protect their corporate IP and involves a strategy combining technology, processes, and people to prevent unauthorised exposure of data by detecting it. DLP uses machine learning, AI, and antivirus software to detect activities that can be marked as suspicious by comparing the organisation's DLP policy and content. The DLP policy has rules defined for sharing, protecting, and classifying data to prevent unauthorised access. Considering cyber insurance and implementing robust security measures is crucial.

There are two different approaches to this choice.

Stringent Approach

An organisation stringently prioritises protecting its IP and sensitive data by deploying strong and sophisticated prevention controls and monitoring mechanisms. It helps respond to data breach attempts by detecting unauthorised attempts. In this approach, there is very little room for data leakage or errors.

Flexible Approach

Employee efficiency is prioritised, and their privacy is respected while data protection measures are maintained. Organisations use this approach when they want to strike a balance between employee convenience and security measures. It acknowledges that productivity and efficiency are essential for the success of a business.

Selecting the right approach will depend on an organisation's unique needs, industry regulations, risk tolerance, and the type of data and intellectual property. An organisation's data protection, efficiency, and success depend upon the right balance between its user-centric flexibility and stringent security measures. Organisations often find that a combined approach, including both strategies, is the most effective way to foster a secure work environment.

Information Security

It is crucial to protect an organization's sensitive information to protect its integrity and data security. The way to define sensitive data is different according to the industry and the organization. This is why a one-size-fits-all technique is ineffective. While a financial services organization focuses on credit card protection, government agencies focus on social security numbers and their protection. Biotech companies focus on protecting scientific research, and manufacturing industries need to protect engineering designs. It is essential to understand specific information that needs protection to develop a successful DLP strategy.

User Productivity

Efficient and seamless data access is important in an effective DLP. Maintaining a balance between user productivity and safeguarding sensitive information is crucial for the success of an organisation. It requires implementing policies that can address risky user behaviours without affecting their workflow. A modern data loss protection solution helps adapt to user needs and evolving threats in real time while it preserves data security. A successful strategy integrates secure measures and is user-centric. It fosters a productive and harmonious work environment that supports efficient business operations and data protection.

The Right Approach

Choosing the right approach that balances productivity and security requires answering the following questions:

• What are my organisation's compliance obligations and requirements?

• Which is the industry in which my organisation operates, and what is the desired DLP program objective?

• How will the benefits help with my business goals?

You must choose a strict approach if you work in an industry that is highly regulated and limits access to sensitive information, helping compliance. On the other hand, you must choose a flexible approach if you want a culture that fosters innovation and quick sharing of information.

By investing in cyber insurance, organisations can transfer some of the financial risks associated with cyber threats to insurance providers, reducing their exposure to potential liabilities and mitigating the impact of security incidents on their operations and bottom line. It can complement existing security measures and serve as a valuable, comprehensive risk management strategy component.

Conclusion

As remote work continues to gain traction in today's digital landscape, organisations must prioritise cyber security to safeguard their remote workforce and protect sensitive information from cyber threats. By implementing robust security measures and investing in cyber insurance, organisations can mitigate the risks associated with remote work environments and ensure business continuity in the face of evolving cyber threats. With a proactive approach to cyber security and risk management, organisations can embrace the benefits of remote work while maintaining a secure and resilient digital infrastructure.

Disclaimer The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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